274. Blades Unleashed
5 more to go
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"By the way, are you certain you're not deceiving us?"
Atlas stared at Aokiji in silence.
It makes sense that the Marines hold a powerful position with a secure port, making them seemingly unbeatable. However, Aokiji surprised everyone by using his ice powers to freeze the sea, providing a base for these pirates and enabling them to launch direct attacks on the port using the frozen surface!
Of course, this maneuver isn't without advantages for the Marines.
At least the less powerful ones can take to the sea, engaging in close combat with the pirates.
"Ah, darn it! My initial plan was to freeze the Moby Dick and block their escape route," Aokiji said, waving his hands in a helpless gesture to emphasize his innocence.
On the execution platform on the other side,
"This guy..."
Sengoku's eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted suddenly.
"Rayleigh?! Are the Roger Pirates part of this conflict?"
"I speak for myself; I can't dictate the actions of other crew members!" Rayleigh, standing alongside Whitebeard, sheathed his sword and responded firmly.
"Certain things are beyond your control. Now that you've made a decision, be ready to face all the consequences!" Sengoku's gaze lowered slightly, with half of his face obscured in shadows, making his exact expression unclear.
"..."
Rayleigh remained silent, but a hint of guilt flickered in his eyes.
Apologies, old friends!
That young lad, Shanks, carries the legacy of Roger, and Rayleigh can't let his journey end here!
"What?! Rayleigh, is that the famed first mate of the Pirate King?"
"Aren't the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates sworn enemies?"
"Is this... the alliance of the two mighty pirate crews from the bygone era?"
"Pirates are indeed wicked!"
The dialogue between Rayleigh and Sengoku resonated loudly in the port, causing confusion among Marines who were unaware of the situation.
The leader of the Roger Pirates, the man who initiated the age of great pirates.
The head of the Whitebeard Pirates, presently the strongest man of the world.
With these two top-tier pirate crews joining forces, can the Marines truly conquer such formidable adversaries?
Numerous Marines started grappling with self-doubt.
After all, the notoriety of these two pirate crews is quite substantial!
"The world's strongest man or whatever... I'll handle it myself!"
Observing the initial massive wave being entirely quelled, Atlas spoke gradually. Though his voice wasn't particularly loud, when infused with the subtle techniques of Conqueror's Haki, it instantly penetrated the ears of everyone in attendance. The previously diminished morale of the Marines was suddenly unsettled, experiencing a jolt.
"Challenging Whitebeard? That's quite the audacious young man!" Even Kuzan on the sidelines couldn't help but glance at him curiously.
It appears this guy possesses a certain level of confidence?
"Hmph! This era is for the youth. Old fellows like Whitebeard should have exited the historical stage long ago!"
Akainu snorted with disdain, gazing at Atlas with even greater admiration.
Ignoring the numerous murmurs around him, Atlas advanced, positioning himself in the sky. It felt as if an invisible staircase supported his steps, guiding him slowly to the center of the inner sea of the port. From there, he peered down at the Whitebeard fleet below.
"It's Vice Admiral Hakuryu!!"
A concerned Marine widened his eyes suddenly, his surprise bringing the color to his face.
"You fool, it's Admiral Hakuryu you should be calling!!" His colleague interrupted with considerable dissatisfaction.
"But... the World Government hasn't—"
"Sooner or later, it won't be fair if Vice Admiral Hakuryu isn't promoted to Admiral!!"
"Exactly! Besides, but even if Admiral... Hakuryu once apprehended Shiki, captured Kaido, and defeated Big Mom."
"But what he's up against is... the strongest man in the world!!"
"Idiot, have you ever seen Mr. Hakuryu face defeat since he set sail?"
The colleague gazed at Atlas in mid-air with admiration, akin to a fervent fan.
"Perhaps not?!"
"Uh—?!"
Sengoku's eyes widened, and he looked at Atlas, who had garnered everyone's attention, in surprise.
Why did this kid deviate from the plan?!
During the battle briefing, he had already solidified the strategy for Sakazuki and Atlas to team up, swiftly defeating Whitebeard and concluding the battle.
Unexpectedly, this guy altered the plan without prior communication!!
Even though he hasn't witnessed this kid in action for a year, the enemy is Whitebeard!
Sengoku doesn't treat it lightly, not at all!
"However, given that the kid has willingly stepped up against Whitebeard, I suppose he must have some level of confidence."
Observing this, Sengoku had no choice but to abandon the thought of recalling Atlas.
"Gurararara!! You want to challenge me? You're still a bit too green, Marine brat!" Whitebeard laughed, then swung his signature weapon, the Murakumogiri, toward Atlas!
"Dad's getting into the fray! Go ahead!! Teach those Marine scoundrels a lesson!" Witnessing Whitebeard's involvement, his captains and division leaders, followed by their subordinates, leaped off the ship and rushed towards the Marines.
While Rayleigh managed to thwart Aokiji's ultimate freeze and prevent the Moby-Dick from being encased, a substantial portion of the sea surface remained covered in thick ice, providing a suitable spot for the pirates to establish themselves.
"It looks like today's the day we need to take action, or we might get stuck in Marineford," Rayleigh, stationed on the ship's bow, sported a smile. He stretched his muscles a bit and shouted to the Red Force ahead:
"Gaban, it's time to make our move!!"
"Alright! Hahahaha!"
A formidable figure ascended into the sky, wielding two axes. With Rayleigh, flanking on the left and right, charged toward the Marines.
Their objective wasn't to inflict harm but to stall.
Despite the substantial gap in top-tier combat prowess between the enemies, clashes among the mighty often stretched across days and nights. This would provide ample time for Beckman to execute rescue operations.
"Clang!!!" Before Rayleigh could draw near, a phantom-like figure materialized with a knife. A towering black blade, as tall as a person, rose to intercept, producing a resonant clash of metal.
"Shichibukai?"
Rayleigh's eyes squinted as he regarded the young man who had abruptly materialized before him. He chuckled, "Sharp eyes, but the strength is lacking."
Casting a glance at Akainu and Aokiji, who were already charging toward him, Rayleigh shook his head. At this moment, he had no intention of giving young ones a lesson.
Making a decisive move, he exerted force in his arm, veins protruding, and slashed away with the knife!
Buzz! ! !
Conqueror's Haki enveloped the slender blade, and the black and red arcs twirled wildly. Wherever the blade traversed, the space quivered, and thick, water-like black thunder and lightning roared.
Boom! !
The brilliance of Rayleigh's sword promptly overwhelmed Mihawk, and a substantial amount of blood sprayed forth.
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